SOUTHERNMOST -- Stand of Quaking Aspens in the US, Window Trail, Big Bend NP TX
N 29° 16.207 W 103° 18.144
13R E 664927 N 3239108
A Chisos Mountains information sign along the Window Trail near the Chisos Basin Visitor Center points out that the Quaking Aspen trees on Emory Peak are the southernmost stand of such trees in the US
Waymark Code: WMTZVV
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/29/2017
Views: 1
Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountain Range is home to the southernmost stand of Quaking Aspens in the US, which is AMAZING, since these mountains are completely surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert.
The sign along the Window Trail reads as follows:
"A MOUNTAIN REFUGE
The woodland around you once extended to the banks of the Rio Grande, over 3000 feet lower in elevation than where you now stand. Around 8000 years ago the climate began getting warmer and drier, stranding these trees- and the animals that live among them - in the cool, moist shelter of the Chisos Mountains and other nearby ranges.
These “mountain islands” separated by an ocean of desert, protect small populations of Woodland species, living relics of the last Ice Age.
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Canyon tree frogs live near pools of water high in the Chisos Mountains
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The southernmost and of quaking aspens in the United States grows on Emory peak, the highest point in the Chisos Mountains.
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Carmen Mountains white tailed deer are rarely seen below 4500 feet elevation."
From the Mirror Magic website: (
visit link)
"TEXAS QUAKING ASPENS
Posted on January 25, 2013Author Richard
In Big Bend National Park, along the southwest slopes of Emory Peak, is a small grove of Texas quaking aspens, the southern-most stand in the United States. These trees are the last few remnants from ancient, wetter times thousands of years ago. Texas quaking aspen trees are only found in a few places in the state – only in the high Chisos, Davis and Guadalupe mountains. Aspens may be North America’s most widely distributed tree. They are found from the arctic to Mexico in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Look just below and left of center and see if you can pick them out. Look at the cluster of boulders at the base of the talus. The location is not inaccessible, but difficult to get to. One of these days I might climb up and get a better look.
Update: Well, one of these days finally came and I did climb up to get a better look. They are there. (See: (
visit link) for a long post abiout a great muti-day hike through the Chisos with amazing photos.